Pruning an acer palmatum
 

I have a largish (4 ft?) acer palmatum in a container. It seems very happy
and is growing well. However, one branch is growing in the wrong direction
and makes the plant look a very odd shape. I'd like to remove this branch
to improve the shape - can I do it at this time of year or would that be a
bad idea?
--
Willobie

"Sheila Richards" wrote in message
...
I have a largish (4 ft?) acer palmatum in a container. It seems very
happy
and is growing well. However, one branch is growing in the wrong
direction
and makes the plant look a very odd shape. I'd like to remove this branch
to improve the shape - can I do it at this time of year or would that be a
bad idea?
--
Willobie

I would prune autumn after leaf fall,acer a prone to bleeding if pruned in
spring.
Thanks Keith

Acer are OK to prune most of the year, though it is better to prune in the dormant season (winter), just cut back to a grow point.

Sheila Richards writes

I have a largish (4 ft?) acer palmatum in a container. It seems very happy
and is growing well. However, one branch is growing in the wrong direction
and makes the plant look a very odd shape. I'd like to remove this branch
to improve the shape - can I do it at this time of year or would that be a
bad idea?

Took advice from Mr Acer at the local garden centre a couple of years
ago. One of the best times to prune is end of August [so you're still
about there - assuming you're not in a severe frosty pocket], as it
gives the plant plenty of time to recover and encourage new shoots come
spring.

The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I even
have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as I did
my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice bleeding from
recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly to the wound.
Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help the healing
process. :)

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

Flower Bobdew wrote:
[...]
The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is
rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I
even have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree
[as
I did my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice
bleeding from recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil
directly
to the wound. Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will
help
the healing process. :)

Interesting: does it work? My instinct would be for a quick blast
with a blow-torch.

--
Mike.

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...
Sheila Richards writes

I have a largish (4 ft?) acer palmatum in a container. It seems very
happy
and is growing well. However, one branch is growing in the wrong
direction
and makes the plant look a very odd shape. I'd like to remove this
branch
to improve the shape - can I do it at this time of year or would that be
a
bad idea?

Took advice from Mr Acer at the local garden centre a couple of years
ago. One of the best times to prune is end of August [so you're still
about there - assuming you're not in a severe frosty pocket], as it
gives the plant plenty of time to recover and encourage new shoots come
spring.

The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I even
have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as I did
my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice bleeding from
recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly to the wound.
Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help the healing
process. :)

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

Thanks - I'll try a bit of surgery (and hope my husband doesn't notice!)
Willobie

Mike Lyle writes

Flower Bobdew wrote:
[...]
The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I
even have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as
I did my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice
bleeding from recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly
to the wound. Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help
the healing process. :)

Interesting: does it work? My instinct would be for a quick blast
with a blow-torch.

Well, being fairly new to gardening I can't quite claim it's a
'personal' tried and tested method over an extended period... But, I've
applied this technique on both the aforementioned Acer, a clumsily
pruned Pyracantha and a stray football blasted Caryopteris - both the
latter plants, in particular, sustaining quite significant bleeding
cuts/damage toward the base of the plant. Bleeding stopped noticeably
quickly in all cases, and all plants remain in rude health.

In fact... The Caryopteris almost became a test case for plant recovery,
for me. The football ripped right through one side taking out one of
only two main stems, tearing the bark for a few inches, too, right down
at soil level. Aside from appearing distinctly wonky - and it may well
come out now for that reason alone - it otherwise recovered well and
produced a fine colourful display which is still lingering as I write.

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

In article , Sheila Richards
writes

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...

Took advice from Mr Acer at the local garden centre a couple of years
ago. One of the best times to prune is end of August [so you're still
about there - assuming you're not in a severe frosty pocket], as it
gives the plant plenty of time to recover and encourage new shoots come
spring.

The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I even
have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as I did
my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice bleeding from
recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly to the wound.
Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help the healing
process. :)


Thanks - I'll try a bit of surgery (and hope my husband doesn't notice!)

Blimey! Might I suggest applying some anaesthetic first. We'll look out
for the story appearing in the newspapers. ;)

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...
In article , Sheila Richards
writes

"Flower Bobdew" wrote in message
...

Took advice from Mr Acer at the local garden centre a couple of years
ago. One of the best times to prune is end of August [so you're still
about there - assuming you're not in a severe frosty pocket], as it
gives the plant plenty of time to recover and encourage new shoots come
spring.

The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I even
have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as I did
my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice bleeding from
recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly to the wound.
Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help the healing
process. :)


Thanks - I'll try a bit of surgery (and hope my husband doesn't notice!)

Blimey! Might I suggest applying some anaesthetic first. We'll look out
for the story appearing in the newspapers. ;)

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK

Lol! Perhaps I'll give him a blindfold...